How to Stay Engaged to Your Budget through Wedding Season

Wedding season is in full bloom, but that doesn’t mean your funds have to droop. Here are tips from thenest.com that can help you remain true to your budget this spring and summer:

Share space. It’s not suggested that you and another couple share a single room, but a smart savings strategy is to see if the place you’ll be staying has a 2-bedroom suite. This can cost less than the rate of two single-rooms, though it does mean sharing a bathroom.

Shop early. Visit the registry as soon as it’s available (i.e. before the less expensive items are fulfilled or all of the best options are taken).

Stock up. If several weddings are in your near future and you happen to find something great when the price is right, buy in bulk.

Do the math. Focus on this savings formula: For best friends and close relatives, put aside at least $100 to $150. For what thenest.com designates your second-tier friends and associates, that price can come down $25, respectively. For everyone else, try to budget between $75 to $100. Afterward, divvy up the total cost:

engagement gift: 20 percent

shower gifts: 20 percent

wedding gift: 60 percent

While that may sound stringent, if you’re following a savings plan it will be worth it in the long run. FoxBuisness.com says that it’s pretty easy for guests to spend upwards of $500 on a wedding. You want to support your friends and loved ones on their special day, but not go broke in the process.